Variable-speed change mechanism of power-transmission devices



K. III/I. TROWBRIDGE. yAmABLE SPEED CHANGE MEcHANlsM oE PowEmRANsMIssIoN DEvIcEs.

APPLICATION FILED IMI. 27.1919. 1,407,047.' Patented. Feb. 21, 1922..

4 SE-ETS-SHEET I A TORNEY.

N Q D J I N VEN TOR K. III. TROWBRIDGE. VARIABLE SPEED CHANGE NIECHANISM 0F POWER TRANSMISSION DEVICES.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.27, 1919.

1,407,047, Patented Feb. 21, 1922:,-

4 SHEETS-'SHEET 2.

\v l I v Q Q bf Q I II u 1Q (u o o o "D I '9N o D In Sg 'o f 1; 2:10 C 0 'd y "OJ lh) @"f" q1 Io 11 Q1` c 00 l N D o U3 f* NQ-` O 0 E* N D N/L L? 0 0 lca o o No NI: A "Cu I u I? u WHA/ESS.- V jNI/ENTOR.

K. IVI. TROWBRIDGE.

.VARIABLE SPEED CHANGE MECHANISM 0F POWER TRANSMISSION DEVICES.

APPLlcATloN FILED 1AN.27, 1919.

, '11, 407,047, Panaeb. 21, 1922.4

'I INVENTOR.

WITNESS.-

I .l 'Mi ATTORNEY. E

. QK. M. TROWBRIDGE. y VARIABLE SPEED CHANGE MECHANISM 0F POWERTRANSMlSSIN DEVIES.-

.Patented Feb. 21,1922

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

.APPLICAUN FlLED JAN. 27. |919.

IN VEN T o all whom t may cm1-cern KENNETH M. 'IRowyuseful improvements in that class of power- UNITED vsrA'i'Es- Pariziai"l oF'FicE.

KENNETHM. TRQWBRIDGE, 0F DALLAS, GEORGIA.

' Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Fei. 21,v 1922.

Applieation led January 27, 1'919. Serial No.4 278,446.

Be it known that I, BRIDGE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dallas, inthe county of Paulding and State of Georgia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Variable-Speed Change. Mechanism of Power-Transmission Devices, of which the following is'aspecication.

My inventionconsists in certain new and transmission devices, in which the transmission of -power from the driving member to the driven member is secured Aby a liquid circulating system. These improvements arev designed to secure more eiiicient operation of devices of this character, by increasing the v flexibility of the 'circulating system, aifording improved results in the transmission of power to ether with superioru control of the device. hile there have -been many de- Ivices of this general character, appearing to b e theoretically sound, the practical diiculties presented in the operation of these devices have thus far preventedtheir oper' ative success, and it is to secure this operative success'that my improvements have been applied to devices of this character. I have conceived land perfected a novel form of valve for use' in controlling the flux of the liquid through the circulating system,

which, being flexibly self-aligning, efectiv'ely Y overcomes the practical ydifficulties of loss of pressure through leakage of the iuid due to relative rigidity of the operative parts,

which thus far has `proven a fatal defect. in such devices.

I fhave vconceived and einbodiedfin my device a novel and effective relation'of the part of the device. propelling -the liquid to the part of the device which is prope -means-of` mechanical control automatically led by the liquid, together with a novel to maintain the requisite pressure in the circulating system, by the agency of an auxiliary pumping system operated by lthe ordi'- na'ry type of gear pump. Experience in the o eration of my device has demonstratedthat t e foregoing improvements supply the req- -with a small I have embodied also,

'in thedetails of construction shown in the drawings and hereinafter described.

In the drawings: Figure Iis a side view'of the device, partly in section.

Figure. II is a top plan view of the Ortion broken away.. Figure II is a vertical section of Ithe device.

Figure IV is a detail end elevation of a portion of the device.

Figure V isa detail end elevation of a portion of the device. -j

Figure VI is a horizontal section of a detail ofthe device.

Figure VII is a vertical section of' a detail of the device.

FigureVIII is a vertical section of a detail of the device.

Figure IX is an end. elevation of a detail.-

device Figure X is a side plan view of a detail.

4Figure XI is anend plan view of a detail. In the drawings: The numeral I designates a casing whlch encloses the device, to which are secured the end covers2 and 3. Located in the center of the vcovers 2 and 3 are the shaft bearings 4 and 5 which are provided with thel ball bear# ings 6 and the stuffing boxes 7 having'the istufiingl'S andthestuing glands 9. ,In the center-of the casing 1, are located the shaft bearings 10 and 11, mounted upon the'transverse support 12, provided withthe ball bearings 13 and 14. Carried in the'bearings 4 and 10 is the shaft 15. Located, upon the shaft 15, adjacent the bearing 10 are the keys 16, by means of which there is slidably mounted onthe shaft 15, the collar 17, which is provided with the studs 18 which carry on the bearings 19, the collar 20 which has the bearings 21 ,in which are carried the studs 22 of the disc 23, which has a centrally disposed, threaded extension 24-to which is ferred to as l rlhe disc 26 is provided with end outside f the casing 1, the lever 33,

which is lprovided with a handle 34 and a latch 35 adapted to operate in a latch quad# rant 36. Extending from the lower end `of the lever 33 is the bell crank 37 to which is" attached the link 38, which is attached to the bell crank 39 which is mounted upon the end, outside of the casing 1, of the shaft 31. Symmetrically disposed in the face of the disc.23, are six heini-spherical sockets 40, in which are carried the spherical balls 41, being held in place by means of the cover plates 42'a`nd 43. From the balls 41 extend rods 44. Located upon the shaft 15, adjacent the end cover 2, are the keys 45 by means of which` there is slidably mounted on the shaft 15, the block of cylinders 46. A collar 47 fixed upon the shaft 15 `and a coil spring 48 serve to hold the block of cylinders 46 in the proper position, as will be explained later. This block of cylinders 46 is composed of six symmetrically disposed cylinders 49, in each oneof which is a piston 50, provided with a hemi-spherical socket 51 in which is carried a spherical ball 52, being held in place by a split cap 53. rlhese balls 52 are connected with the rods 44 connected with the balls 41, thus forming double ball-and-socket connections through the rods 44 between the disc 23 and the'pistons 50. From the face 54 of each piston 50, there is an oil channel 55 to the socket 51, for the purpose of lubricating. Each cylinder 49 is provided with a port 56 opening through the face 57 of the block of cylinders 46. Surrounding the shaft 15 and within the end cover 2, is located the valve member 58, having its face 59 in contact with the face 57 of the block ,of cylinders 46, this contact being maintained by the action of the spring 48. rlhe valve member 58, is provided with two radial ports-GO and 61, each having an area slightly less than the area of the least number of pistons, 50, communicative with it at one time. Communicating with the ports 60 and 61 are they openings 62 and 63, through the face 64 of the valve member 58. The' face 64 is covered by the` face 65 0f the end cover 2. Immediately surrounding the shaftA 15, in the face 64,-

surrounding the shaft 15, in the face 65,

there is a circular inset 68, provided, at

points inline, with a. vertical diameter of` the shaft 15, with key seats 69. Located within the insets 66 and 68, is the key ringl 7o, providledwith the horizontally disposta keys 71, adapted to engage the key seat 67, and the vertically disposed keys 72, adapted toengage the key` seats 69. rllhe foregoing elements constitute a universal joint be- 70 tween the valve member 58 and the end cover 2, hereafter referred to as J2. rlhis universal joint J2 makes it possible for the valve member 58 t0 oscillate in any dil rection about the axis of the shaft 15, while it is held against rotation with the shaft 15, so that the'valv'e member 58 is self-aligning, permitting the face 59 to be in constant contact with the face 57. The end cover 2 is provided with two passages 73 and 74 80 adapted to register with the openings 62 and 63 in the valve member 58. rlhese channels extend downwardly through the end cover 2 and communicate with the cross passages 75 and 76, respectively, which connect 85 the end covers 2 and 3. Carried inthe bearings 5 and 11, is the shaft 15. The elements designated by the numerals 16 and 32, both inclusive, are duplicated by 'elements designated by the numerals 16'I to 32', 90r

both inclusive, which bear the same relation to the shaft 15 as the former set of elements do to the shaft 15. The elements i designated by the numerals 40 to 74, both inclusive, are duplicated by elements designated by the numerals 40 to 74', both inclusive. Connecting the channels 73 and 74' isthe by-pass 77, `provided with plug valve 78, having the operating handle 79. Located adjacent the end cover V2, is 10e the gear pump 80, which is operated by the gear chain 81 with the gear wheel 82 mounted upon the shaft 15. The gearpump 80y has a supply pipe83 which is connected .with the oil well 84 located in the base of ,105

Operation.

From the foregoing description of the details of construction of my device, its operation is readily apparent.; rllhe parts being as indicated in `Figure 2, the driven shaft 15 1S actuated by the motive power applied thereto. The revolution of the shaft 15 actuates the gear pump 80, which draws oil from the oil well 84 through the pipe 83 and supplies 120 it, through the pipes 85, to the passages 73 and 74, thus filling the circulating system of the device. When the requiredfpressure in the system has been thus secured, the check valves 86, responding to this pressure, close the pipes 85 and thus cut olf the circulating` system from the gear pump 8O and the pipe' 83. Should the pressure 1n the system fall below the pressure exertedv by thegear pump 80, the valves 86'will open and permit the 13@ gear pump 80'to restore the required pressure in the system.v The lever 33 is moved to apoint on the latch quadrant 36 in the direction of the end cover 2, fixing the device for any desired degree of speed forward.- Through the movement of the lever 33, the

parts connected therewith, namely, the disc cylinders, causes the oil to flow from the passage 74 through the opening 63 and theport 61 of the valve 58 into the cylinders 49 as they sink, passing the port 61. As each cy]- inder 49'passes the portion of the valve 58 on its lower half between the ports 61 and 60, the vvalve 58 serves to retain a full charge of oil in the cylinder. -The further'revolution of the cylinders 49 serves to discharge the oil through the port 60 and the opening 62 in the valve58 and so into the passage 73, whence the oil is propelled through 'the cross passage 75 to the passage 73 where the oil is forced through the-opening62 and the port 60 of the valve 58 filling the cylinders 49 adjacent the port 60 thereby expelling the pistons -The reciprocation of the pistons 50 results in the revolution of the disc 23 through a process the reverse of that occurring between the disc 23 and the Vpistons 50. for the reasons that when the lever 33 is set in the vdesired position,

Vthrough the bell crank 37, the link 3 8, the

bell crank 39, and the shaft 31', the dise 23 is held in an oblique position such that the expulsion of the pistons 50 on the side of the device adjacent the passage 73 would cause the dise 23 to revolve in a direction similar to the revolution of the disc 23. This revolution ofthe disc 23', through the universal joint J causes the revolution of the driving shaft 15. When the cylinders 49 pass that portion of the valve 58 located at the top of the valve and between the ports 61 and 62, the valve 58 serves to retain the charge of oil in the cylinders. The further revolution of the cylinders 49 caused by the revolution of the shaft 15 to which they are keyed reciprocates the pistons 50 so as to discharge oil through the port 61 and the opening 63 into the passage 74', whence itfiows through the cross passage 76 to the passage 74 where it supplies oil. to the cylinders 49 as explained above. The relation of the dise 23 to the disc 23 is such that when the movement of thelever 33 positions the disc 23 to cause the pistons 50- to reciprocate through the shortest distance of their thrust, the disc 23 is positioned to cause the pistons 50 to reciprocate throulgh the longest distance of their thrust. be evident that the effect of this is to provide a relation of the propelling member to the propelled member of such character that when the propelling` member is positionedto assume the initial movement, the propelled member is positioned to exert the maximum effort, i. e. minimum speed and maximum torque; Moreover, the relation of the disc 23 to the disc 23 is such that when the disk 23 is positioned to cause the pistons t will 50 tokreciprocate through the longest distance of their thrust, the disc 23Iis positioned to cause the pistons 50 to reciprocate through the shortest distance of their thrust.

The effect of this arrangement is to provide a relation of the propelling member to the propelled memberof such. character thatl when the propelling member is positioned to exert the minimum pressure, i. e. pump the maximum quantity of liquid, the propelled member is positioned to operate at maximum speed. The foregoing description of the operations applies to the operation of the device for vdirect forward driving. movement yof the lever 33 to a point on the latch quadrant 36 in the direction of the end cover 3 will cause the positioning of the disc 23 so as to reverse the relation of the pistonsl 50 in the cylinders 49 from'their positions' when the lever 33 is set as formerly indicated. This will result in reversing the flow of oil in the .circulating system with the consequent reversal of the operation of the 9eH The,

propelled member With the result that the driving shaft 15 will operate in reverse.

The valve 58 having oscillation in any di-v rection about the'axis of the shaft 15, because of the'universal joint J2 is adapted to be in constant contact with: the face 57 of the block of Acylinders 46, thereby eliminating leakage from the circulating system, at the point where leakage is most liable to occur, namely, the point of contact between the fixed member andthe revolving member.

This constant contact is secured by the slidable mounting of the block of cylinders 46 vupon the shaft 15 and the action of the collar 47 and the spring 48. The identical construction of the vvalve 58 and its related elements serves the same purpose in the propelled member of my device. The operation of the by-pass 77 with the plug valve 78 will be readily understood to cons titute a clutch. -By the opening of this by-pass 77 bythe operation of the plug valve 78 by means of the handle 79, the fiow` of oil from the passage 73 to the passage 74 is permitted, so that the oil p'ressure is relieved from the cylinders 49 and the pistons 50 so that the operation of the disc 23 and thev shaft 1.5 is interrupted, While the propelling member continues to operate. (Jon- ,'versely the yclosingfof this-'by-pass- 77, ref

the combination of a driven shaft; a driving,

shaft; a liquid circulating system; a pump actuated by the driven shaft and adapted to induce the circulation of the liquid; an engine actuated by the circulation of the liquid and adapted to actuate the driving shaft; a control lever adapted to change the relation ofthe operative parts of the pump; and a positive mechanical connection between said lever and the engine, actuated by the operation of the control lever and adapted to change the relation of the operative parts of the engine in relation to t e adjustment of the pump, said lever and its connection bein so related that its operation is adapted to a just the pump and engine in relation to each other so as to secure an inverse ratio of their` production and consum tion.

2. The combination of a riven shaft; a liquid circulating system; a rotary element actuated by said shaft and adapted to induce vthe circulation of the liquid in said system;

and a non-rotatable valve member surrounding the shaft and capable of oscillation in any direction about the axis of the shaft, and adapted to control the operation of saidrotary element.

3.' 'llhe combination of a driven shaft; a liquid circulatin system; a rotaryelement actuated by sai shaft and adapted to induce the circulation of the liquid in said system; and a non-rotatable valve member surrounding the shaft and capable of oscillation in any direction about the axis of the shaft, and adapted to be held in lconstant contact With said rotary element, and to control the operation of said rotary element.

4. 'llhe combination of a driven shaft; a

liquid circulating system; a rotary element actuated by said shaft and adapted to induce the circulation of the liquid in said system; a

non-rotatable valve member surrounding the shaft and capable of oscillation in any di` rection about the axis of the shaft, and adaptedto control the operation of said rotary element; and means adapted to hold `the rotary element and the non-rotatable member in constant contact.

5. The combination of a driven shaft; a liquid circulating system; a propelling member adapted to induce the circu ation of the liquid and provided with a cylindrical block of cylindersupon the driven shaft; and a non-rotatable valve member, surrounding the driven shaft, .capable of oscillation in any direction about the axis of the driven shaft and adapted to control .the charging and discharging of the liquid into and out of the cylinders of the propelling member.

Leonce? -6. 'llhe combination of al driven shaft; a liquid circulating system; a propelling member adapted to induce the circulation of the liquid and provided with a cylindrical block ofcylinders upon the driven shaft; a rnonrotatable valve member, surrounding the driven shaft, capable 4of oscillation in an direction about the axis of the driven sha t and adapted to control the charging and dischargmg .of the liquid into and out of the cylinders of the propellirg member; and' means adapted to .hold the member in constant contact.

7. ln a variable speed change mechanism, the combination of a driven shaft; a driving shaft; a liquid circulating system; a propelling member adapted to induce the circk and valfve culation of the liquid; a propelled member,

the driven shaft; a rotaryelement ofthe .propelled member, slidably mounted for rotation upon the driving shaft; and a non- Yrotatable plate surrounding the driving shaft, capable of oscillation in any direction about the axis of the driving shaft and adapted to be held in constant contact with the face of the rotatable slidable member mounted upon the drivin shaft.

8. lin a variable speed c ange mechanism, the combination of a driven shaft; a driving shaft; a liquid circulating system; a propelling member adapted to induce the circulation of the liquid; a propelled member,

identical in structure with the pro elling member, adapted to be actuated by t e circulation ofthe liquid; a by-pass adapted to interrupt the actuation of the propelled member; a rotary element of the propelling member, 'slidably mounted 'for rotation upon the driven shaft; a non-rotatable plate surrounding the driven shaft, capable of oscillation in any directionabout the axis of the driven shaft and adapted to be held in l constant contactwith the face of the rotatable slidable member mounted upon the driven shaft; a rotary element of the propelled member, slidably mounted for rotation upon the drivin shaft; and a non-rotatable flate surrounding the driving shaft, capab e of oscillation in an direction about the axis of the driving sha t and adapted to be held in constant contact with the face of the rotatable slidable member mounted upon the driving shaft.

9. ln a variable speed change mechanism, the combination of a driven shaft;

a driving shaft; a. liquid circulating system; a propelling member adapted to induce the circulation of the liquid; la propelled member, identical in structure with the propelling member, adapted to be actuated by the circulation of the liquid; a non-rotatable plate surrounding the driven shaft, capable of oscillation in any directio-n about the axis of the driven shaft; a resilient member interposed between the ropelling member and the driven .shaft an adapted to form a leak-proof contact between the propelling member and the non-rotatable plate; a nonrotatable plate surrounding'- the driving shaft, capable of oscillation in any direction about the axis of the driving shaft; and a resilient member interposed between the propelled member and the driving shaft and adapted to form a leak-proofcontact between the propelled member and the nonrotatable plate.l p

10. Inl a variable speed change mechanism, the combination o-f a driven shaft; a driving shaft; a liquid circulating system; a propelling member adapted to induce the circulation of the liquid; a propelled member, identical in structure with the propelling member, adapted to be actuated by the circulation of the liquid; a by-pass adapted to interrupt the actuation of the propelled member; a non-rotatable plate surrounding the driven shaft, capable of oscillation 1n any direction about the axis of the driven shaft; a resilient member interposed between the propelling member and thedriven shaft and adapted to form a leakroof contact between the propelling memer and the non-rotatable plate; a nonrotatable plate surrounding the driving shaft, capable of oscillation in any direction about the axis of the driving shaft; and a resilient member interposed between the propelled member and the driving shaft and adapted to form a leak-proof contact between the propelled member and lthe nonrotatable plate.

11. In a variable lspeed change mechanism, the combination of a driven shaft; a driving shaft.; a liquid circulating system; a propelling member adapted to induce the circulation of the liquid; a 'propelled member, identical in structure' with the'l ropelling member, adapted to be actuate by the circulation of the li uid; a non-rotatable plate'surrounding the riven shaft, capable of oscillation in any direction about the axls of thedriven shaft; means adapted toform a leak-proof contact between the propelling member and the non-rotatable plate; a'non-v rotatable, plate surrounding the driving shaft, capable of oscillation in any vdirection about the axis of the driving shaft; means adapted to forma leakroof contact between the vpropelledm'em er and the nonrotatable plate.

' ation of the li ui mounted for rotation upon the 12. In 'a variable speed change mecha,-

nism, the combination of a driven shaft; a driving s haft; a liquid circulating system; r

a propelling member adapted to linduce the circulation ofthe liquid and provided with a cylindrical block of cylinders slidably mounted for rotation upon the driven shaft; a nonn rotatable valve member, surrounding the driven shaft, capable of oscillation inany direction about the axis of the driven shaft and adapted to control ythe charging and discharging of the liquid into vand'out ofl the cylinders of the propelling member; a propelled member, identical in structure with the propelling member, adapted to be actuated by vthe circulation of the liquid and providedv with a 'cylindrical block of cylinders slidably mounted upon the driving shaft;

and a non-rotatable valve member, surround.

ing the driving shaft, capable of oscillation in any'direction about the axis of the driv` ing shaft, andadapted to control the charging and discharging of the liquid into and out of the cylinders of the propelled member.

13. In a variable speed change mechanism, the combination of a driven ishaft; va driving shaft; a liquid circulating system; a propelling member adapted to induce the circulation of the liquid and provided with a -cylindrical block of cylinders slidably mounted for rotation upon the driven shaft;

a non-rotatable valve member surrounding the driven shaft, capable of oscillation in any direction aboutthe axis of the driven shaft, and adapted to control the charging and discharging of the liquid into and out `of the cylinders of the propelling member;

a resilient member inter osed between the driven shaft and the b ock of cylinders, adapted to secure a leak-proof contact between the block of cylinders and the valve member; a propelled member, identical in structure with the\ propelling member, adapted to be actuated by thel circulation of the liquid, and rovided with a cyhndrical block of cylin ers -slidably mounted for rotation upon the driving shaft; a nonrotatable valve member surrounding the driving shaft, capable of oscillation 1n any direction about the axis of the driving shaft, and adapted to, control the charging and discharging of the liquid inte and out of the' cylinders of the propelled member; and a resilient member interposed between the driving `shaft and the block of cylinders, adapted 'to secure a leak-proof contact between the block of cylinders and the valve member.

14; In a variable speed change mechanism, the combination of a driven shaft; a driving shaft; a liquid circulating system; aproelling memberl ada ted to induce the circuand rovided with a of v cy inders slidably cylindrical bloc driven shaft;

a non-rotatable valve member surrounding the driven shaft, capable of oscillation in any direction about the axis of the driven shaft, and adapted to control the charging and discharging of the liquid intoand out of the cylinders of the propelling member; means adapted to secure a leak-proof contact. between the block of cylinders and the valve member; a propelled member, identi.- cal in structure with the propelling member, adapted to be actuated by the circulation of the liquid, and provided with a cylindrical block of cylinders slidably mounted for ro- `,about the axis of the drivin tation upon the driving shaft; a non-rotatable valve member surrounding the driving shaft, capable of oscillation in any direction shaft, and adapted to control the charglng and discharging of the liquid into and out of the cylinders of the propelled member; and means adapted to secure a leak-proof contact j between the block of cylinders and the valve member.

inducing means and to change the relation v of the arts of the flow actuated means to adjust t eow inducing means and the flow actuated means in relation to each other so as to secure an inve-rse ratio of their action; a rotary element of the'flow inducing means slidably mounted for rotation upon the driven shaft; a non-rotatable plate surroundingpthe driven shaft, capable'of oscillation in. any direction about the' axis of theV driven .shaft and ada ted to be held in constant contact with the ace of the rotatable slidable element mounted upon the driven shaft; a r0- tary element .of the low actuated means, slidably mounted for rotation upon the driving shaft; and a non-rotatable plate surrounding thev driving shaft, capable of oscillation in any direction about the axis of the driving shaft and adapted to be held in constant contact with the face of the rotatable slidable member mounted upon the driving shaft.

16. ln a Variable speed change mechanism, the combination of a driven shaft; a driving shaft; a liquid circulating system; means operated by the driven shaft to induce the flow of liquid in the circulating system;

means actuated by said flow to actuate the driving shaft; means to render alternatively operative and inoperative the said flow actuated means; means adapted to chan e the relation of the parts of the flow .in ucing v means and to change the relation of the parts of the flow actuated means to adjust the flo-w inducing means and the low actuated/,means in relation to each other so as to secure an inverse ratio of their action; a rotary element of the flow inducing means slidably mounted for rotation upon lthe driven shaft; a non-rotatable, plate surrounding the driven shaft-capable oi oscillation in any direction about the axis of theI driven shaft and means adapted to hold the rotary element and the non-rotatable plate in constant contact; a rotary element of the flow actuated means, slidably mounted for rotation. upon the driving shaft; and a nonrotatable` plate surrounding the driving shaft, cap `viole of oscillationin any direction about the axis of the driving shaft and means adapted to hold the rotary element and the non-rotatable plate in constant contact.

ln testimony whereof l affix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

KENNETH M, TRWBRlDGE.

' Witnesses: 4 i

AL E, Mom, Gao. ll-l. GILLON. 

